Hi, we are about to upgrade from a folding camper to a caravan. We particularly like the layout of the Orion 430-4 with the rear bathroom and the weight is great for our Passat saloon. If any of you have one, do they have any faults that we need to be aware of as well as all the good points, as we are trying to find out as much info before we buy one. Many thanks in advance :-)
Hi yes we have an Orion 430-4
we love ours and it is just the layout we want.
There are a few little niggles on the layout have been improved on the Pursuit.
They are main door opening over window, gas locker only taking one lite and a small bottle, oven a bit close to bed, only two mains sockets,outside locker door under bed too small and then the shelf above sink in bathroom gets in the way for washing your face etc.
All these things I believe have been changed on the Pursuit but saying that we can put up with them as it's a nice light van that keeps warm/cool in cold and heat if you get what I mean.
Hi Macaw, thanks for your comments; it is just what we need to help us be a little more informed. Being new to caravanning, we haven't really a clue what to look for 😃
I got to see the Bailey Orion 430-4 at the NEC a good few years back, and it was definitely on my wish list at the time, Gas stored amid ships, great location. the curved retro look was also good design I thought, great fixed bed van imho.
Of course I have never owned a caravan, and my friends that do, advised me to steer clear of any Bailey van, due to quality of build issues, but I guess that can be said of any make of van, there is always going to be the odd rotten apple.
The other contenders on my list are the Adria Sportline PX (Altea Tay 432).
But the van in my sights at the moment is the Burstner Premio 450 TS, although I will have to make a trip to Holland to buy one of those.
Thank you Francais, they are certainly impressive vans I would never have thought of looking at European companies as I always thought they were too heavy for our car. Will be looking more in to these with the OH 😀
Easiest way in the UK is to buy a UK built caravan from your local dealer, that way you don't have far to take it back if it goes wrong. Few foreign makes have dealer networks in the UK so if you want to buy one you would have to make the effort to buy abroad. Foreign makes have full ranges right down to small, lightweight caravans.
Adria sell in the UK but only a small part of their range that they build with left hand, UK side doors. There are loads of threads on this forum about faulty caravans, read them & be depressed or otherwise don't & buy the caravan you want.
I have an Orion 430-4.
The door opening against the window does not affect me, my porch awning upright fits between window and door.
I moved the water heater control to the front right underseat box and fitted an extra socket in its place, I also fitted a double socket to the underseat box.
I turned the wardrobe door over so the hinge is on the right, it makes access to wardrobe easier.
I fitted a stainless steel table rail in place of the plastic one, I also fitted another rail beside the sink so i can use the small table as a kitchen worktop extension.
It is a great layout, very spacious for a small outside size (Tardis?)
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Bailey Orion 430-4
